Chapter 40
Chapter 40
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Date with Shaomei in the Bustling Streets!
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Glance. Glance glance.
'I just want to flip everything over.'
Teacher Senia had come in and was holding morning assembly like always, full of chit-chat, but the class's attention was mostly fixed on me.
Maybe because Shaomei had given them a solid scare earlier, no one was staring outright, but those sneaky glances were more irritating than I'd expected.
'And what's so funny that guy's grinning about?'
What made my anger boil even hotter was that Kaiyen Silversword was one of the guys stealing those glances at me.
Even after hearing that dogshit rumor, his eyes definitely had a gleam of amusement when he looked my way.
No, even now, and every time I looked back at him, he glanced away—was he deliberately trying to piss me off?
'...Ah, I need to get a grip. Relax.'
But in the end, I managed to suppress and cool my bubbling rage because I knew damn well the real reason wasn't some stupid fake rumor.
I'd hurt Violet Purplecrow—my closest friend, who'd always been by my side with her bright personality and friendly demeanor, through good times and bad. That fact was eating me alive inside.
I knew Violet had some feelings for me. But I'd already gotten involved with two women—adding a third would be shitty for Agnes and Shaomei, and it'd wound Violet deeply too.
"Haa..."
In the end, maybe the only way was to come clean, apologize sincerely. If I got on my knees, Violet would forgive me eventually, given time.
"Big Brother..."
Shaomei—who understood my feelings better than anyone—hugged my shoulders sympathetically and patted me. The soft sensation felt good, so I leaned into her obediently.
"What's with the gloom over some fake rumor? Cheer up, Arthin."
And Jorba Pelkas—who clearly didn't get my feelings at all—ruffled my hair to encourage me.
Don't. The guys who'd been glancing were starting to whisper now.
"...You okay, Jorba? You're tangled up in my rumor pretty bad."
"Haha! A popular guy like me gets dragged into rumors everywhere, anytime. I'm more curious how I ended up riding a unicorn yesterday."
Ah, so that's what he was after.
But I could let this curiosity slide guilt-free. Hell, if my friend vanished on a unicorn and showed up the next day, I'd be dying to know too.
Still, spilling it easily was a bad move. Teasing Jorba was simple enough.
"You sure you're fine? I heard the manga club kids are drawing a comic about forbidden love between you and Rexton Wise."
"...What? Is that for real?"
Jorba's face, which had been showing off that hearty Republican laugh just moments ago, went stiff.
"Yeah, I overheard the manga club kids giggling about finding good material."
"...Alright, time for me to step up for Arthin's honor—and mine."
Ooh, seeing the tension in Jorba's jaw, it looked like he'd handle the fake news spreaders himself.
Whew, fake rumor dealt with for now, but I still couldn't muster any energy. I had to move to catch that villain too.
Just then, as I let out a deep sigh, Shaomei—who had her arm linked with mine—seemed to sense that the press of her chest wasn't lifting my mood. While Jorba was distracted by his anger, she whispered in my ear.
"...Big Brother, how about we go hang out after assembly? For a change of pace?"
"...Hang out? Skip class?"
It was a wildly unfamiliar suggestion. Usually, Jorba was the one tempting me to ditch, while Shaomei tried to stop us but tagged along anyway.
"Yeah, on a date... We can do what we couldn't earlier... I think it'd cheer you up, Big Brother."
"What we couldn't... earlier?"
Those words perked me up a bit—proving I was one healthy bastard. A twinge of self-loathing hit me too, somehow.
"You never properly attend class anyway, right?"
The devil's whisper—it was a damn sweet offer. No reason to refuse.
**
In the end, I couldn't turn down Shaomei's offer. Leaving Jorba—who said he'd head out solo—I left the classroom.
"Shall we head out right now, Big Brother? There should still be carriages to the bustling district!"
"But I got no money. That okay?"
"Don't worry! I've saved up a ton from what you pay me!"
Seeing Shaomei all excited about the date made my stuffy mood lift a little.
Yeah, go out, buy gifts for Agnes and Violet on the way—date and all that, and I'd feel way better!
"Arthin! How dare you abandon this throne in a dusty room like that! Such rudeness!"
Oh, crap. A voice I didn't want to hear.
I turned toward it, and the unicorn came bounding energetically my way, puffing up with an angry expression.
"If you weren't the one chosen by the king, you'd pay for that insolence with your life! Now, let's go catch that rogue who stole my divine power!"
Shaomei looked at me in bewilderment. Don't worry, I'm a pro at handling this guy.
"Before that, Unicorn, think about it—the academy's huge. Searching the grounds with three of us is super inefficient."
"Hm, valid point. The thief won't be wandering openly, so who knows where they're hiding. Thus, this throne has high expectations of you!"
"So, Shaomei and I will check the commercial district. Unicorn, can you scan the students for anyone suspicious?"
The unicorn nodded at first, then caught on to something off and eyed me suspiciously.
"Why do you two get to go together while this throne goes alone?"
"Well, if they stole the king's power, no way I could handle them solo, right? Shaomei needs to protect me. But you're a great divine beast—you can take 'em alone."
Great divine beast. His ears perked at that, his expression softened, and he cleared his throat dramatically, puffing out his massive chest.
"Can't be helped! You lot can't match this throne's nobility and greatness! That non-virgin has considerable power, so she can protect you well enough!"
"Yeah, yeah. I'll grab some carrot cake on the way, so cover for me."
Carrot cake. Game over with those words.
"Farewell! Human! Don't forget the carrot cake!"
Shaomei stared at me in stunned amazement as the unicorn waved us off from behind.
"He's... really that simple, huh..."
"Men are all mouth. Let's go."
"Don't forget! Carrot cake!! Promise!!!"
Leaving the unicorn's near-howling send-off behind, Shaomei and I headed to the carriage stop where vehicles to the bustling district were gathered.
You might wonder why fantasy carriages need a stop, but with students walking the grounds, carriages zipping around would be dangerous. So there are dedicated paths and spaces inside the academy for them.
The academy's basically the size of a small city-state, so without these carriages, it'd take 3-4 hours on foot to the bustling district. Essential stuff.
"Hey, students! Where to? Harbor? Bustling district? Outdoor training grounds or grand library?"
One of the coachmen—bushy-bearded and friendly—spotted us amid the clusters and called out.
"Ah, we're headed to the nearest bustling district..."
"Then hop in mine! Fast and safe, 30 minutes flat!"
"Don't—mine's better. Just redid the seats with Tarkzi luxury fabric. Pure comfort."
"Mine's a full silver cheaper than the rest! Speed and safety on par!"
Ah, this homecoming vibe. I'd missed the lively haggling from the Demon King's Castle back door days.
"Mine's totally private—no peeking, and soundproofed tight."
"Sold! We'll take the mister's carriage!"
A coachman who'd been smoking like a hidden master quietly pitched his shady perks, and Shaomei swiftly claimed it.
"Why pick that one specifically, Shaomei?"
"...Hee hee, wouldn't it be nice to relax?"
Ah. Seeing her sly, playful smile, I caught her drift.
"...Let's get on."
Of course, I didn't refuse and climbed in obediently. I wasn't virgin Arthin anymore.
Inside was surprisingly spacious. Large carriage, definitely soundproofed with magic—this coachman knew the value of investment.
"Alright, about 45 minutes. Students, kick back and enjoy the scenery."
The smoking coachman grinned victoriously at the others, tipped his hat to us, and shut the door with a thud.
"..."
In that moment, silence blanketed the carriage. External noise was fully blocked too—nothing but Shaomei's subtly excited breathing.
'Now... what do I do?'
Fresh off losing my virginity, thinking I could smoothly lead the mood with a girl was a huge mistake. Come to think of it, had I ever taken the lead in those two prior romps?
"Why're you so frozen, Big Brother?"
But Shaomei acted like mood didn't matter, snuggling right up and softly rubbing my thigh over my pants.
Stroke. Stroke.
Not even directly on my dick, but it felt weirdly erotic—excitement started surging.
"Shaomei, one question...?"
"Hee hee, what is it? For you, Big Brother, I'll answer anything."
Under her expert touch, a small curiosity I'd harbored bubbled up.
"How do you know all this naughty stuff so well...?"
Not suspecting her or anything, but the breastfeeding play before, and she hit men's pleasure spots too perfectly—made me uneasy. Hoped the genre wasn't shifting to NTR??
"Mm... such an embarrassing question..."
But instead of panicking, she blushed like it was just shy-making, twiddling her fingers and peeking at me.
"Fr-from the books in Young Master's study... I studied 'cause I thought Arthin Big Brother would like it..."
Damn it, Jorba again? Kinda did good this time, though...
"Studied... from books? This stuff...?"
"Exactly—studied those books every regression... Thought of Arthin Big Brother each time, so it stuck vividly..."
Unable to meet my eyes from shyness, her hand slid toward my crotch and started kneading.
"Learned lots from the book... oral stuff... or with breasts..."
Oral? Breasts? Straight out of old AVs or Hitomi lines—I couldn't hide my excitement.
Maybe sensing it through Little Arthin, Shaomei jolted in surprise, then smiled seductively, tugging her top down just enough to teasingly flash her areola as she jiggled.
"...Shall I do it once with these breasts you like, Big Brother?"
I nodded frantically, beyond my own control.